The Interview: Sheriff Tom Purvis

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Former Mobile County Sheriff Tom Purvis served five terms in office at a time of change.

WINNING THE OFFICE

Purvis' law enforcement career started with a three year stint with Mobile Police.

"You have to be driven as a person, and I was driven; I had a fire, a fire in my gut to run and to be elected. And it’s not a power thing; it’s a personal thing. It’s a personal ambition,” Purvis said. "Working as a public servant is a wonderful profession in my opinion. I think it’s a very noble calling. I enjoyed what I was doing; the opportunities that I had to help people.”

Purvis ran for sheriff against 20-year incumbent Ray Bridges while he was finishing his college degree at the University of South Alabama.  

"I graduated on a Sunday; and on Tuesday, I was in a runoff with the incumbent. He and I led the ticket; there were five of us in the race. And of course, the rest is history as they say,” Purvis said.

NOT ALL FUN AND GAMES

Purvis said of all the horrific things he saw as sheriff; the worst was abandoned children. 

"When you visit a home in the winter, there's knocked out window panes, no power, no heat, dirty, no food; those are the ones,” Purvis said.

HIS CAREER

His 20 years in office spanned three decades. It was a time of incredible change in Mobile and Alabama,including civil rights.

"The change in attitudes that we saw,more so than people generally think of civil rights, it was much deeper than that," Purvis said. "Retention and hiring issues at the sheriff's office were affected by the new civil rights laws.”   

Crime fighters also started using computers and technology during Purvis' time in office.

"It was nonexistent when I took office, and was in full bloom when I left, innovation of what was going on technologically,” Purvis said.

Purvis said he was instrumental in getting legislation passed for the automated fingerprint identification system.

Looking back on his time in office, Purvis said he never really thought about what could be called one of his greatest accomplishments as sheriff.

“My big thing was protection of employees in every respect; their health and well being, their salaries to build the strength and the integrity of the sheriff’s office."

AFTER 20 YEARS IN OFFICE

Purvis lost his last election in 1994. He said it’s hard to leave while you're in the sheriff's office. He said he couldn't quit, but he was later thankful it ended at 20 years.

Purvis later ran for a sixth term as sheriff because he said he didn't know how to quit.  

"Did me a favor; prolonged my life, actually prolonged my life. It really takes its toll on anybody that gets in-20 years becomes a burden. It becomes a burden for an incumbent. It wears you down,” Purvis said.

Jack Tillman, a former Mobile County Schools resource officer, defeated Purvis in the 1994 election.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH HIS PREDECESSORS

Purvis said he and Tillman were never able to develop a relationship.

“I tried to early on when he was first elected. But that didn't work, so I didn't follow up on it,” Purvis said.

Purvis said Mobile County's current sheriff, Sam Cochran, showed outstanding leadership qualities as a young Mobile police officer.

"I think Sam and his folks are doing an outstanding job. And today, because of a lack of money, they are being asked to do impossible things,” Purvis said.

Purvis said there are a few regrets when looks back on his time in office.

“I go down there today, and I say, ‘Dang, why didn't we think of that?’” Purvis said with a laugh.

LIFE AFTER BEING SHERIFF

He said his backyard on Dog River was a jungle six years ago, Purvis' tamed his yard, removing 50 trees with the same drive and determination that took him into the sheriff's office.

"I've been out of office 16 years now, and I feel great. And I still can get out and work all day in the yard or any other thing. I can drive all day. I'll get in the car, and I'll drive until I run out of gas,” Purvis said.

Purvis said his future includes his lovely wife Luly.

He shared a story that happened more than 50 years ago. He said a Bolivian official in New Orleans told a then 20-something year-old unmarried Purvis that he would return from working in Bolivia a married man.

"I said, ‘Well, I'm not going down there to get married. I've got other plans, and marriage ain't on the table. ’ As it turned out, he was right,” Purvis said. “She had beautiful eyes, and she just fascinated me. I was smitten; I'm still smitten. ”

Purvis and Luly will celebrate 51 years of marriage in April. Their plans include continuing to take trips; including one to Bolivia soon to visit family.  They are both very thankful they have been able to travel to Bolivia often enough that their children know their relatives.

He and Luly also stay busy working on projects at their riverside home.

Purvis also does some consulting work for a phone company.